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We're teaming up with our friends at The Laundress to bring you the most useful tips and products for spring cleaning.

Today: Gwen and Lindsey from The Laundress share their favorite ways to clean with vinegar.

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Vinegar is known for its powerful cleaning properties that fight stains, buildup, odors, and germs; it might just be the agent we turn to the most when we're on a cleaning spree. And while plain old vinegar works like a charm, it's also known for a sometimes off-putting smell -- which is why we blended one of our signature scents with it.

Here are our favorite ways to clean with vinegar -- what are yours? Let us know in the comments!

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Remove odor from fabrics:

Pretreat: To remove odor from fabric, add 1⁄4 cup of scented vinegar to a basin of warm water and soak the item for 30 minutes. Then launder as normal.

Launder: Add 1 cup scented vinegar directly to the washing machine drum (for top loaders) or to the detergent dispenser (for front loaders) and run a wash cycle using no detergent or softener. Then wash again as normal.

Deoderize rooms & appliances:

Cooking/kitchen: Remove cooking odors by simmering a small pot of 1⁄2 cup vinegar and water or keep a small bowl of vinegar on the counter to absorb odor.

Refrigerator: Place 1 cup vinegar in the refrigerator for two days to remove odor. Refresh as needed.

Microwave: Use 1⁄4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water; bring to a boil and let sit.

To clean, deodorize, and unclog drains, sprinkle 1⁄4 cup of all-purpose bleach alternative and pour 1 cup of boiling vinegar down the drain. Allow the solution to sit for 5 minutes, then run hot water down the drain. (For garbage disposals, halve the amounts.)

Remove and inhibit bacteria, mold, and yeast growth:

Cutting boards: Apply vinegar directly to cutting boards at the end of the evening and do not rinse.

Surfaces: To clean and deodorize surfaces, glassware, and household items, wet a lint-free cleaning cloth or sponge with scented vinegar. Then wipe away dirt, stains, germs, and streaks. (This will also keep ants and bugs away.)

Has anyone else found that white vinegar keeps colored clothing from fading in the wash? I read long ago that adding 1/2 cup to the wash at the start and to the rinse cycle reduces the fading in colored clothing. I've used the trick and seen a big difference in my blacks, blues, and reds.

Even the scented vinegar has a vinegar smell, but it is a fantastic cleaner with no harmful chemicals and the smell dissipates rapidly. We use it on countertops, in bathrooms and to clean the floor. Cheap, too.

We use vinegar for floor cleaning. It provides excellent cleaning and shine to the floor, but its unbelievable for me that it have uncountable benefits that you have shared. Thanks for this wonderful resource.Best regards! St Mary Cray Carpet Cleaners Ltd.

I find that 1 c of white vinegar added to the wash with the detergent is sufficient to remove odors without having to re-wash.

I also use white vinegar as a fabric softener. ~1/2c added to the 'fabric softener' dispenser or during the rinse cycle. Hasn't damaged any of my washables and my clothes don't have that synthetic 'fresh' scent that is so overpowering. No vinegary odor either.